October 6, 2021. Imperial Logistics has added 18 new Iveco Stralis Natural Power trucks to its fleet, powered by sustainably produced liquefied natural gas (Bio-LNG).
Ordered specifically for a contract with BMW Group, the new vehicles are based out of a satellite transport office that Imperial operates on the Unipart campus at MINI Plant Oxford in Cowley, Oxfordshire. The decision to make the switch to natural gas comes as part of BMW Group’s wider efforts to improve sustainability throughout all areas of the company, which includes its supply chain and logistics operations.
The 18 AS440S46TX/P LNG Iveco Stralis NP 460 tractors are expected to cover around 3.3 million kilometres per year collectively, which Imperial estimates will remove over 3,000 tonnes of CO2 from its annual emissions.
The trucks run 24 hours a day, with multiple shift drivers operating them, so an extensive training scheme was put in place during the 10 days preceding the vehicles going on the road. Delivered on-site by Roadgas personnel, all drivers and any site staff that would be fueling vehicles were fully trained in how to safely operate the gas refueling equipment.
Iveco NP heavy trucks are unique in the marketplace for being the only factory-built 6×2 tractors to run solely on natural gas. The 12.9-litre Cursor 13 offers a diesel-equivalent 460hp and 2,000Nm of torque across a wide power band, ensuring that with the 12-speed HI-TRONIX automated gearbox with predictive mapping, there is no compromise to vehicle performance or driver enjoyment. The trucks run exceptionally quietly at 71dB, further minimising Imperial’s and the manufacturing plant’s environmental impact by halving engine noise pollution.
For maximum efficiency, the vehicles are all fitted with truck-specific navigation and GPS tracking. Iveco’s in-house connectivity system monitors and feeds back fuel economy data as well as driving style analysis with training recommendations.
The vehicles will be maintained by local Iveco workshop, M & M Commercials via a six-year connected 3XL R&M package offering Imperial peace of mind as the proactive systems constantly monitor the vehicles to boost uptime. Iveco natural gas heavy trucks also offer industry-leading oil change intervals of up to 90,00kms.
